Double Fudge [Mass Market Paperback]

Judy Blume (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 15, 2003 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

"I love money," is five-year-old Fudge's new theme song. He's going to dress as a miser for Halloween and has made big plans to buy the entire world (or at least Toys"R"Us). Fudge's new obsession with cash is driving his older brother Peter crazy! But life really spins out of control when Peter and his family run into their long-lost relatives, the Howie Hatchers of Honolulu, Hawaii. Now Peter has to deal with Flora and Fauna, his annoying twin cousins who burst into song at the drop of a hat, and their weird little brother, coincidentally named Farley Drexel Hatcher-just like Fudge! Their names aren't the only similarity, and before long, mini-Fudge is causing just as much trouble as Fudge always has! This newest book starring Peter and Fudge is one wild ride!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fans of Superfudge and Fudge-a-Mania will welcome the return of seventh-grader Peter Hatcher and his five-year-old brother, Fudge, who in this comical caper meet distant cousins from Hawaii. The two families unexpectedly encounter one another in Washington, D.C., where the New York City Hatchers have gone so that Fudge, who has developed an obsession with money, can visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. The Howie Hatcher clan proves an eccentric lot. Twins Fauna and Flora, unironicially nicknamed the Natural Beauties, would be in Peter's grade if they weren't home-schooled; apt to break into corny songs at any moment, they perform together as the Heavenly Hatchers. Their younger brother, who shares Fudge's real name (Farley Drexel), acts like a dog, growling and licking people. And their father won't stop calling Peter's dad "Tubby." Narrator Peter grits his teeth when the Honolulu Hatchers invite themselves to Manhattan to stay in his family's cramped apartment, where nestled in their sleeping bags on the living room floor they "slept flat on their backs, like a row of hot dogs in their rolls. All that was missing was the mustard and the relish." The boy is further appalled when the twins show up at his school and convene an assembly so that they can sing. Peter's wry reactions to the sometimes outsize goings-on, Fudge's inimitable antics and the characters' rousing repartee contribute to the sprightly clip of this cheerful read. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Judy Blume's book (Dutton, 2002) is a fun story with interesting characters, but lacks the plot focus of the earlier titles in the series. As in the previous stories, Peter Hatcher, now a seventh grader, tells about an episode in his life in which his mischievous brother Fudge-a nickname for Farley Drexel, who is now five-drives him crazy. The story begins with the discovery of Fudge's new fascination with money, and is headed in a comical direction when the Hatchers go to Washington, DC to visit the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. However, the plot is hampered when they run into Peter's father's long-lost cousin, Howie Hatcher, and his family. The Hatchers invite themselves to stay with Peter's family in New York City. Although Howie and his family are all hilarious characters, their introduction is a diversion from the original plot. The characterizations are enhanced by author Judy Blume's superb reading, which brings them to life with just the right intonation. Preteens, especially those with younger siblings, will relate to the ups and downs of Peter's compounded life, and Fudge fans will continue to find his antics amusing, though not fully developed here.
Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (September 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0142501115
• ISBN-13: 978-0142501115
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (94 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,400,732 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We're Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.
She receives thousands of letters each month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and
concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has won more than ninety awards, none more important than those coming directly from her youngest readers.
She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild, currently as Vice President; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she sponsors an award for contemporary fiction; and the National Coalition Against Censorship, working to protect intellectual freedom. In Spring 2002, Judy was a spokesperson for the Cheerios "A Book for Every Child" literacy campaign which benefited Reading is Fundamental, America's largest literacy organization. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation.
Judy's first book in the Fudge series, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, was published in 1972. She is thrilled to be celebrating its 30th Anniversary with the publication of Double Fudge. Just as generations of fans have loved the Fudge books, generations of Judy's family have inspired them. Thirty years ago, Fudge was inspired by her son, Larry, and now Double Fudge was written at the request of her grandson, Elliot.
Judy lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband George Cooper. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You can never have too much Fudge!, September 9, 2005

By 

Sunny Dae (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Fudge (Mass Market Paperback)

YES! Fudge is back! I'm not ashamed to admit that I was as excited to learn of the latest installment now as I was at the age of 9, when "Superfudge" was published. :-) And I was not disappointed. Fudge is one of Judy Blume's most endearing characters, a five going on forty year old whose quirky approach to life always ends up causing problems for his older brother Peter. This time around, Fudge's new obsession with money leads to more embarrassing misadventures, and indirectly to an unwanted family reunion with distant relatives. A new twist here is the addition of a younger cousin to the usual cast of characters, a four year old who may just be Fudge's troublemaking match. It's interesting to watch Fudge beginning to experience the same kind of frustration that Peter suffered through in the first three books. We can only hope that he doesn't learn from it TOO quickly!

In response to the review complaining about the 21st century pop culture references that don't synch with the 70's feel of the earlier books, well, granted the first books are a bit dated upon re-reading 30 years later (when was the last time you saw an elevator man, for example), just as "Double Fudge" will seem dated 30 years from now. But, you can't predict what will or will not still be in style a couple decades from now, and the writing would have to be pretty bare bones if Blume had avoided any mention of things that are in vogue today. Besides which, I think I got my biggest laugh at Fudge's eccentric superstition about Harry Potter - "DON'T SAY HIS NAME OUT LOUD!" :-)

I'm thrilled to add more Fudge to my collection of beloved children's books, and can't wait to introduce him to my own "mini-me" in a few more years. Thank you, Judy Blume!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, February 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Double Fudge (Hardcover)

I'm 16 years old, but since I was such a big fan of Fudge, I just had to buy this book! Even though it's a children's book, it was really good and didn't fail to make me laugh out loud.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Double Fudge, October 6, 2003

By 

Tina Barrett (Richmond, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Double Fudge (Mass Market Paperback)

As a fourth grade teacher, I love reading the Fudge books to my students. They love hearing what Fudge is up to. My students were so excited when Double Fudge was published. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to laugh. Fudge is always funny. In the story, Fudge is five (almost six) and Peter is in 7th grade. As everyone knows Fudge has his own way of seeing things--Fudge has not changed. Fudge is obsessed with MONEY. He is always talking, singing, counting, or trying to acquire money. He even creates his own money "Fudge Bucks". The Hatchers go to Washington D.C. to show Fudge how real money is created. The family meets their long lost cousins. The cousins come home with the Hatchers. Poor Peter, now he has to deal with Fudge, the Natural Beauties, and the new Farley Drexel Hatcher. Another Fudge, OH, NO!